Well, Lord, I didn’t actually picture myself finding time to pray today but I’ve woken up really early and figure that rather than rushing to get the bazillion things I’ve got to do done, I’d stop and check in with you first. Could it be that I am actually learning something?
First of all I want to spend some time on my new resolve – being more thankful. Thank you for the blessing of Emily, especially today on her birthday. I pray you would give her a lovely day and that all would go well for her with her party. Thank you for some of the wonderful attributes you’ve given her – for her kind heartedness and her loving nature. I pray that as she grows she would be able to retain her gentle spirit. I know she sometimes finds life a bit bewildering (who doesn’t!). Help her to make sense of the world without feeling the need for her to change to match that world – something a lot of us find ourselves doing, Lord.
Thank you for my father, too, even though he and Mum drive me a little insane at times. I pray you would also bless his day – even if that means Mum having unexpected laryngitis or some strange sleeping sickness that sees her remaining unconscious for the larger part of the day.
Thank you for another nice time at Libby’s yesterday which was just more chatting and getting to know some of the other mothers a little better. I found myself looking more closely at Caroline and thought she looked a little weary in spite of her nanny and her BMW. Once all of this birthday circus is over I really must try and make some time to have a proper catch up with her.
Thank you too for Nathan and Andrew. Of course Nathan is enough to try the patience of a saint (yet another conversation with the kindy teacher yesterday – this time about how he decided the dolls’ house could do with an indoor Jacuzzi!) so I pray you would help him help me today rather than being a hindrance. And although I was tempted to never speak to Andrew again when he revealed that he had not only invited Cameron for dinner tomorrow night, he had also invited his parents to come tonight, I know he does mean well. Certainly, if blowing up multiple bags of balloons and racing to the mall just before they closed for more party bag fillers is any indication of his desire to make it up to me then I suppose it worked – sort of. At least he won’t be able to argue when I point him in the direction of the kitchen tonight to do the dishes. Maybe then we’ll be even.
Lastly, I pray you would be with me and help me to somehow get through this afternoon’s party, Madison staying the night, and dinner with Mum and Dad, Ma and Pa Copeland and with James and Jasmine and the Wests if they all actually show up. If at all possible, it would be great if both sets of parents could manage to tolerate each other and not argue about any of their favourite topics – money, religion, politics and the need (or not) to save the planet – but focus on the reason for being together.
Thank you for your love, Lord… Amen